For all of the naysayers that said that are smartphones will eventually ruin our lives. There’s only one thing I’d like to say. “Fitness Apps.”

Surely it’s not the phones that are the problem, but the way we choose to use them. In fact, studies have shown that fitness apps on our smartphones can be extremely effective in keeping us both fit and healthy.

If we are becoming fitter, stronger and healthier as a result of using these smartphone apps, then that’s a good thing, right?

With all of the negative headlines being fed to us each day, anyone would think that they were the worse things to enter our lives.

Apparently not.

If you’re on the fence about using smartphone apps to increase your fitness and make you healthy, then check out the following list. Technology isn’t all bad.

Nike+ Run Club App

With the market and following the size of a small country, you would expect a company like Nike to have its own app, wouldn’t you?

This app is appropriately named Nike+ Run Club and is great at tracking your runs via GPS, personalised coaching plans for newbies and even hardcore fitness enthusiasts.

Each workout helps you build your overall strength, endurance, and speed.

There are also motivational prompts to keep you on track like weekly leaderboards to specific Spotify playlists that have been tailored to keep pace with your run.

That’s not all. You also have access to coaches and athletes via in-ear audio.

The workouts available are pretty cool:

First Run - This is an entry-level program for beginners. It provides 23-minute audio guided run that helps you get started and get you moving.

First Speed Run - This is the next level program giving you 8 x 1 minute at 5K pace. This is ideal if you’re new to speed work.

Ladder up, ladder down - This is a more intense program where the intervals are longer but at a more relaxed pace and a little faster.

Sworkit

The great thing we liked about Sworkit is the fact that you can squeeze a targeted workout in whenever you like.

You simply choose the type of exercises you would like to do, whether that’s strength, cardio or even yoga.

You choose how many minutes you would like to exercise for. It will then output a video-guided sports scientist approved workout for you.

If you are willing to pay a little bit extra you can get more training plans which provide you more in your workouts.

Aaptiv

The Aaptiv is an audio-only workout app that gives you around 2,500 audio guided workouts on your smartphone with an additional 40 new classes each week.

This is perfect for those who learn better by hearing things. It’s also a lot cheaper than your local gym (the last look was around £9.99) with approx 200,000 users.

You can choose which workout you want to do and then simply download it. So, you can easily shift between the different types of exercises. Whether it is boxing, weightlifting or yoga.

You even have the choice of choosing the music you want to work out to and also by the amount of time you have.

Asana Rebel

At some point, everyone has dabbled with either starting yoga or has even tried it a few times (we’ve all been there). You know it’s good for you has many exciting health benefits but didn’t still haven’t tried it properly.

Asana Rebel takes a slightly different approach to other fitness apps out there. It basically combines traditional yoga practices with exercises like planks, burpees and mountain climbs.

Simply choose the category that best suits you (like strength, fat burn, or flexibility) and then prepare for your workout.

This app is really useful for beginners and those starting out on their fitness journey. However, it’s not only for beginners.

If you are looking for a more hardcore workout and you want to be challenged, then there are more advanced programs you can try.

Fitbod

Eventually, all the apps that have been mentioned will be managed by using artificial intelligence. One of them that is already utilising this new technology is Fitbod.

It learns from your past workouts and helps develop a personalised plan based on the past and your future goals, how much you struggled and even how much equipment you have available to you.

When you eventually go to the gym it guides you through a series of exercises telling you how many reps to do, how many sets and the weight you should be lifting. Depending on the sort of exercises, it will even adjust the workout according to the muscle groups you want to target.

Pretty impressive eh?

As I said, this is probably the way all apps going forward will be. Like your very own personal trainer. It will guide and encourage you to lift heavier weights when it deems it is necessary.